Veterans Lied To Qualify For Pensions, Audit Finds

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December 26, 1991

LOS ANGELES — A computer audit revealed that thousands of veterans lied about their incomes to qualify for pension benefits, the General Accounting Office reported. By cross-checking figures with the Internal Revenue Service, the audit discovered that 116,000 veterans receiving pensions on the basis of need failed to disclose $338 million in 1989 income from savings accounts, stock dividends or rents. The VA said it will request explanations from 60,000 veterans about income discrepancies. The other 56,000 veterans will be questioned after more figures arrive from the Social Security Administration.